CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT07269821Updated Oct 5, 2026

Evaluation of a Nutritional Intervention With Dietary Supplements in People Who Have Recently Lost Weight: Effects on Body Composition, Emotional Health, and Gut Microbiota

An interventional study of Metabolaid®-based nutraceutical formulation and Placebo capsules in GLP-1, Weight Loss Trajectory and Emotional Disorder, sponsored by University of Alicante. Completed at 1 site in Spain. Open to participants aged 25 Years to 60 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-05.

Sponsored by University of Alicante · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 4 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Jul 2025, registered Nov 2025).
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
70
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
25 Years to 60 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a 12-week nutritional intervention with dietary supplements on individuals who have experienced significant weight loss following the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists or similar weight-loss treatments. The study will investigate whether the combined supplementation protocol can improve body composition, emotional well-being, and gut microbiota diversity after discontinuation of pharmacological treatment.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: an intervention group receiving a daily combination of food supplements containing bioactive compounds (including polyphenols and antioxidants) and a placebo group. Both groups will maintain their habitual diet and lifestyle throughout the study.

Primary outcomes include changes in fat-free mass, emotional state, and gut microbiota composition. Secondary outcomes include metabolic markers, appetite regulation, and quality of life indicators.

This project seeks to provide evidence-based strategies for maintaining health and preventing metabolic rebound following rapid weight loss or pharmacologically induced appetite suppression.

Read the detailed description

The increasing use of GLP-1 receptor agonists and similar drugs has led to significant weight loss in many individuals; however, this is often followed by loss of lean mass, mood alterations, and gut microbiota imbalance. This study explores a nutritional supplementation strategy designed to support metabolic recovery and preserve physiological homeostasis in this population.

This 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial will include adults aged 25-60 years who have recently lost ≥5% of body weight due to pharmacological treatment or restrictive dietary patterns. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

  1. Experimental Group: Daily intake of a multi-component dietary supplement containing polyphenols and natural extracts with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
  2. Placebo Group: Daily intake of an inert product with identical appearance, taste, and packaging.

All participants will continue their usual dietary and lifestyle habits. Compliance will be monitored through periodic visits and digital tracking.

Measurements will be taken at baseline and after 12 weeks, including:

  • Body composition: fat mass, fat-free mass, and phase angle.
  • Blood biomarkers: glucose, lipids, liver enzymes, and inflammatory markers.
  • Psychological parameters: mood, anxiety, and quality of life scales.
  • Gut microbiota: analysis of microbial diversity and composition from stool samples.

The expected outcome is that the supplement will mitigate lean mass loss, improve emotional balance, and restore microbiota diversity after significant weight reduction. Results from this study may contribute to developing safe and effective strategies for post-weight-loss management and metabolic health maintenance.

02

Conditions studied

  • GLP-1
  • Weight Loss Trajectory
  • Emotional Disorder
  • Microbiota Balance

Keywords

  • weight loss maintenance
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists
  • body composition
  • fat-free mass
  • nutritional supplementation
  • polyphenols
  • gut microbiota
  • emotional well-being
  • metabolic recovery
  • post-weight-loss intervention
  • nutraceuticals
03

In context

Lead sponsor

University of Alicante is the lead sponsor of 27 studies on the registry; 7 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
25 Years to 60 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults aged 25 to 60 years.
  • Documented unintentional or pharmacologically induced weight loss of ≥5% during the previous 3 months.
  • Stable body weight (±2 kg variation) during the 2 weeks prior to enrollment.
  • Completion or discontinuation of GLP-1 receptor agonist or other pharmacological weight-loss therapy within the last 3 months.
  • Willingness to maintain habitual dietary and physical activity habits throughout the study.
  • Ability to provide written informed consent and comply with all study procedures.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current or recent use (within 3 months) of antibiotics, probiotics, or prebiotic supplements.
  • Active gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, chronic diarrhea, or severe constipation).
  • Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, cancer, liver, or kidney dysfunction.
  • Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or intention to become pregnant during the study period.
  • Psychiatric disorders or use of medications affecting mood or appetite.
  • Participation in another clinical trial during the previous 3 months.
  • Any condition that, in the investigator's opinion, could interfere with study participation or interpretation of results.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
70 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Arm 1: Experimental - Dietary supplement

    Participants will receive a daily dose of a nutraceutical formulation designed to support weight maintenance and metabolic recovery after weight loss. The supplement contains Metabolaid® (a standardized extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Lippia citriodora) aimed at improving gut microbiota composition, emotional well-being, and preserving fat-free mass. The intervention lasts 12 weeks, with two capsules per day, taken with meals.

    Dietary Supplement: Metabolaid®-based nutraceutical formulation

  • Placebo comparator
    Arm 2: Placebo - Control

    Participants will receive a placebo identical in appearance, taste, and packaging to the active supplement. The placebo capsules contain inert excipients without active ingredients.

    Dietary Supplement: Placebo capsules

Interventions

  • Dietary supplementMetabolaid®-based nutraceutical formulation

    A 12-week supplementation with Metabolaid® to assess changes in body composition, emotional health, and gut microbiota after weight loss.

  • Dietary supplementPlacebo capsules

    A 12-week placebo supplementation with capsules identical in appearance to the experimental product, to evaluate differences in body composition, gut microbiota, and emotional parameters.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Fat Mass (%)

    To evaluate changes in total fat mass percentage after the 12-week intervention, assessed by bioimpedance analysis (BIODY XPERT ZM).

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Lean Mass (%)

    To evaluate changes in total lean body mass percentage after the 12-week intervention, measured by bioimpedance analysis.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  2. Change in Visceral Fat Level

    To assess differences in visceral adiposity index obtained from bioimpedance measurements before and after supplementation.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  3. Change in Body Weight (kg)

    To evaluate changes in body weight following the 12-week supplementation period.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  4. Change in BMI (kg/m²)

    To assess changes in body mass index calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²).

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  5. Change in Waist Circumference (cm)

    To measure changes in abdominal circumference as an indicator of central adiposity.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  6. Change in Hip Circumference (cm)

    To record changes in hip circumference to calculate waist-to-hip ratio.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  7. Change in Gut Microbiota Diversity

    To evaluate changes in microbial alpha and beta diversity using 16S rRNA sequencing of stool samples.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  8. Change in Abundance of Key Gut Microbial Taxa

    To analyze specific bacterial taxa abundance associated with metabolic health before and after the intervention.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  9. Change in Appetite Score (VAS)

    Description: Appetite perception will be evaluated using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) consisting of a 100-mm horizontal line, where 0 represents "no appetite at all" and 100 represents "extremely high appetite." Participants will mark their perceived level of appetite on the line, and the score will be measured in millimeters from the left end. Range: 0-100 mm. Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater appetite perception.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  10. Change in Satiety Score (VAS)

    Description: Perceived fullness or satiety will be evaluated using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) consisting of a 100-mm horizontal line, where 0 represents "not at all full" and 100 represents "extremely full." Participants will indicate their perceived level of satiety on the line, and the score will be measured in millimeters from the left end. Range: 0-100 mm. Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater perceived satiety.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  11. Change in Physical Activity Level (IPAQ Total Score)

    Description: Physical activity levels will be assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF), which records activity performed over the previous 7 days. The questionnaire includes 7 items covering walking, moderate, and vigorous activities. The total score is expressed in MET-minutes per week and categorized into low, moderate, or high activity levels. Range: 0 to unlimited MET-min/week. Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater physical activity levels.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  12. Change in Total Energy Intake (kcal/day)

    To quantify changes in daily energy consumption from dietary recalls.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  13. Change in Macronutrient Distribution (%)

    To evaluate changes in carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake percentages.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  14. Change in Fasting Glucose (mg/dL)

    To assess changes in fasting blood glucose levels as a metabolic indicator.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  15. Change in Fasting Insulin (µU/mL)

    To measure insulin levels to assess metabolic response to supplementation.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  16. Change in Total Cholesterol (mg/dL)

    To measure total cholesterol concentration in fasting blood samples.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  17. Change in HDL Cholesterol (mg/dL)

    To assess HDL cholesterol changes after supplementation.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  18. Change in LDL Cholesterol (mg/dL)

    To evaluate low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels before and after intervention.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  19. Change in Triglycerides (mg/dL)

    To determine the impact of supplementation on triglyceride concentrations.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  20. Change in C-Reactive Protein (mg/L)

    To assess systemic inflammation through C-reactive protein levels.

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  21. Change in Interleukin-6 (pg/mL)

    To evaluate inflammatory status through IL-6 concentrations

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

  22. Change in TNF-alpha (pg/mL)

    To measure tumor necrosis factor-alpha as an additional inflammatory marker

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

07

Study locations

1 site
  • European Institute Of Exercise and Health
    Elche, Alicante 03202, Spain
08

Updates

1 registry update since Sep 25, 2026
Minor edits
Nothing that changes what the study is or who can join. Edited: description and conditions
1 update, last Oct 5, 2026
Show all 1 update
  1. Oct 5, 2026
    Minor edits only
    + 2 other changes: description and conditions

From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07269821
Lead sponsor
University of Alicante
Responsible party
Prof. Dr. Alejandro Martínez-Rodríguez (Catedrático Ciencias de la Salud, University of Alicante) — Principal investigator
First posted
Dec 8, 2025
Start date
Jul 1, 2025
Primary completion
Oct 31, 2025
Completion
Nov 30, 2025
Last update
Oct 5, 2026

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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